Peanut Butter and Date 'fudge'

Oh man oh man I'm addicted. I had to make a third batch. Yes, three.

I don't know if you've ever tried date with creamy peanut butter. We get these dates from 'Parnoosh'. Sometimes they are dry and unappealing to eat as is, but still suffice for baking. Sometimes they are soft and creamy and kind of delectable. I opened a fresh box to make a lovely vegan date and vanilla ice cream, and my son requested four dates filled with our fave organic smooth peanut butter.  They were so soft and so creamy that I too decided to try one. And I realized just how decadently fabulous date and peanut butter are together. I might have known this before, but my memory being what it is, I might also have forgotten.

Date and peanut butter -- an out of this world combination. Unless you hate peanut butter. Or date. Or both. In which case, you have my sympathies but that's it. And, as my darling Bubbi Edith used to say: "More for me."

(I read the above as: I had to make it to third base. I don't know if you've ever tried to date creamy peanut butter. Now THAT would be a different movie entirely.)

ingredients:

2 cups shredded coconut
1/4 cup ground chia
1 cup hemp hearts

1/2 tsp sea salt
2 tbsp ground vanilla bean

1 cup dates

1/2 cup smooth peanut butter
1/4 cup water


directions:

1. put the coconut, ground chia, hemp hearts, ground flax, sea salt, and ground vanilla bean into the food processor
2. process until completely pulverized and homogenous
3. add the dates and pulse until completely processed
4. add the peanut butter and pulse until fully combined, adding the water as the food processor is running to form a thick dough
5. press into 2 square silicone baking pans and chill in the freezer
6. when firm, turn onto a cutting board and cut into small bars -- I do 8 by 4, resulting in 32 pieces per pan
7. store in the freezer!